National military news


ARABIAN GULF (July 6, 2019) A formation of Avenger-class mine countermeasure ships USS Devastator (MCM 6), USS Gladiator (MCM 11), USS Sentry (MCM 3) and USS Dextrous (MCM 13) maneuver in the Arabian Gulf, July 6, 2019. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Antonio Gemma More.

China urges U.S. to ‘immediately cancel’ sale of tanks, missiles to Taiwan
China is demanding that the United States scrap a plan to sell more than $2 billion worth of military hardware, including M1A2 Abrams tanks and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, to Taiwan.
Such a deal violates international law, norms of international relations, the “One China” policy and interferes in China’s internal affairs, undermining the nation’s sovereignty and security, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters July 9, according to the state-run Global Times newspaper.

U.S. missiles found in Libya compound belonged to France
PARIS - France’s Defense Ministry acknowledged July 10 that U.S.-made missiles captured from the self-styled Libyan National Army belonged to the French military.
A statement said the missiles were originally intended to protect French anti-terrorism forces in Libya and so didn’t violate an arms embargo. It said they were damaged and no longer operational, and were put into storage for destruction.
The revelation risks being highly embarrassing for France, which has offered support for LNA leader Khalifa Hifter. Hifter controls much of eastern Libya and is fighting militias in Tripoli loosely allied to a weak, U.N.-backed government.

U.S. Special Operations Command isn’t launching an all-out assault on carbs in a war of nutrition.
Word that the Pentagon was set to mandate a low-carbohydrate, high-fat ketogenic diet for servicemembers spread like spilled avocado oil across the internet last week, with some respected outlets repeating the claim.
From the Pizza Hut in Bagram, Afghanistan, to the Subway at Eielson Air Force Base in North Pole, Alaska, no facility would be safe - if the premise of the reports was true.

USS America, USS New Orleans to forward deploy to Japan; USS Stethem, USS Wasp to return to U.S.
SASEBO, Japan - The Navy announced recently that amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) and landing platform dock USS New Orleans (LPD 18) will become part of the U.S. 7th Fleet forward-deployed naval forces (FDNF) in Sasebo, Japan. Guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) will shift its homeport to San Diego for its midlife modernization and amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) will shift its homeport to Norfolk to undergo scheduled maintenance.
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Family PCS travel flexibility
expanded
From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Navy has expanded the eligible categories for advanced dependent travel (ADT) and delayed dependent travel (DDT), personnel officials announced in September.
For permanent change of station (PCS) moves within the 50 states, the policy allows for dependent travel of up to six months before or after the sponsoring Sailor’s PCS move in the following situations: spousal employment or education, dependents in elementary or secondary school (K-12), dependent enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, or caring for an immediate family member with a chronic or long-term illness. The previous approved policy that allowed DDT for the length of the school year is unchanged by this expansion.
For moves from the 50 states to overseas locations, only DDT will be authorized. For moves from overseas locations to the 50 states, only ADT will be authorized.
Sailors will only receive one housing allowance, either for their location or their dependent’s location, under delayed or advance travel. Sailors or dependents may be assigned government quarters if available, but may not displace a member or dependent in government housing.
Requests for DDT or ADT must be submitted to Navy Personnel Command (PERS-451).
For information and answers to questions on this policy, email NXAG_N130C@navy.mil.



SoCal military news

Earthquake Damage California State Route 178 SW of Trona, following the M7.1 earthquake. Road is now closed for repairs. USGS Photo

NEX China Lake, Calif., has opened a temporary store in the wake of the two earthquakes that shook Ridgecrest, Calif., on July 4 and 5. NEX China Lake sustained damage to the ceiling tiles and flooring and merchandise was knocked off shelves in many areas of the store. The Navy Exchange Service Command is comprised of 14,000 personnel worldwide facilitating six business lines, NEX retail stores, the Navy Lodge Program, Telecommunications Program Office, Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility, Ships Store Program and the Uniform Program Management Office. U.S. Navy photo by NEXCOM Public Affairs.

Earthquakes leave NS China Lake ‘not mission capable’
by Gidget Fuentes
SAN DIEGO - Two major earthquakes that struck Southern California late last week opened fault lines on Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and prompted officials to evacuate residents. Since Saturday, the Navy testing installation has been declared “not mission capable until further notice.”
As of July 8, the Navy’s key research-and-development site for major aviation and weapons systems testing and evaluation remained off-limits to anyone but mission-essential personnel, as crews worked to inspect facilities at the sprawling installation complex.
China Lake, which covers 1.2 million acres of the Mojave desert, felt the brunt of the significant tremors, from the magnitude 6.4 earthquake that struck at the morning of July 4 to the scores of aftershocks and then a magnitude 7.1 earthquake on Friday evening.
U.S. Geological Survey experts identified the epicenters of the two largest tremors and countless others as occurring within the Navy installation. Navy personnel and California National Guard air crews assisted geologists in surveying the impacts of the tremors, which cracked paved roads, opened gashes across the desert area and shifted railroad tracks.
The weapons station, as well as nearby towns of Ridgecrest and Trona, saw scattered damage from the quakes but no deaths or major destruction.
As of Monday evening, China Lake officials had reported few details about effects to the weapons station and offered scant information in public updates posted on the weapons station’s official Facebook page. Basic services such as water and power have been restored in most areas of the base.

Marines offer up to $90K in bonuses for reenlistments
The Marine Corps is offering up to $90,000 in retention bonuses for high-demand career fields, including Raiders, reconnaissance and explosive ordnance disposal, as it seeks to retain young Marines with key skills.
The selective reenlistment bonuses for FY 2020 include incentives for aviation maintenance, air traffic controllers, infantry squad leaders and Marines willing to make a lateral move to select specialties such as intelligence and cyberdefense, a command bulletin issued Friday said.
“Retaining our experienced and qualified Marines remains one of the Commandant’s highest priorities,” it said. “Achieving retention goals is vital for shaping and sustaining the Marine Corps’ enlisted force.”
Marine Commandant Gen. Robert Neller said in a letter last October that the Corps needed to recruit 38,500 new members to fill gaps in the ranks.

Navy SEAL acquitted of murder charges
SAN DIEGO - Navy SEAL Chief Eddie Gallagher was found not guilty last week of murdering a wounded enemy prisoner in Iraq.
Gallagher was acquiotted of murder, attempted murder and other charges. He was found guilty of one count related to posing with an enemy corpse.
Gallagher accepted his punishment - a reduction of a rank, loss of two-thirds of base pay for the next two months, and four months in custody, which he has already served.





United Through Reading®
Deploying? Service members invited to record stories for family at San Diego USO
United Through Reading® is a program helping ease the stress of separation for military families by having deploying or deployed service members read children’s books aloud via DVD for their family to watch at home. This powerful program is available to all military units. It provides service members a chance to make lasting connections from afar. The DVD recording and the book are mailed to the child and family back home.
Service members who are leaving for training can also take part in this program. Being a parent is not required; service members can send the DVD & book(s) to any special child in their life such as younger sister or brother, niece, nephew or godchild.
On the day of the recording, service members are encouraged to dress in the attire they will be wearing while deployed/training, but this is not required. The room is private, so any special message, or those fun reading voices, will only be heard by the recipient of the DVD recording. USO San Diego has books available, or service members can bring their own. Our volunteers will help set up the camera and then leave the room. The DVD can hold a 30 minute recording.
Please e-mail USO San Diego Staff Member Nichole Duarte at utr@usosandiego.org to make your appointment. This program is offered at both USO San Diego centers.